Looking for some guidance on my HTPC setup

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Looking for some guidance on my HTPC setup

Spack

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#39822 19-Aug-2009 19:45

I've been doing a bit of research on building a HTPC and I've come up with the following gear. Was hoping to get some input from the experts before I buy - let me know what you think. Also looking for some guidance as to what CPU cooler to use with this gear. Is the stock AMD cooler queit enough? I've looked at the Silverstone NT01e but can't find it locally. System would run mythbuntu.

Any help/comments appreciated.



MB
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2HP AM2+ mATX

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4850E 2.5GHz AM2

Memory
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB (2x XMS2 1GB) PC-6400 (800MHz) DDR

TV Tuner
Hauppauge WinTV HVR 4000 Quad Mode Analogue DVB-S2 DVB-S DVB-T HD TV Tuner

PS
Silverstone ST50F 500W Intelligent 120mm Variable Speed Fan (Act

Case
Silverstone SST-LC16M - Black HTPC

Disk
Western Digital 1TB SATA 7200rpm hard drive

DVD
LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray and DVD reader, SATA

Remote
Comes with case

Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Edge

Mouse
None

CPU Cooler
???

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Snowflake

#248781 19-Aug-2009 20:34

motherboard: you have an ATI GPU based motherboard. most here would recommend a board with nVidia GPU for freeviewHD, or a seperate nVidia GPU card.

why the HVR4000? are you expecting this to allow you to record two channels at once?

keyboard - have you looked at the dinovo mini instead of edge?

from memory, the LC16 cases have issues with some DVD drives if they are too long. check the manual/faq for the case. other cases - zalman, antec etc dont have this issue

dont buy a silverstone PS - buy an acbel one for 1/3 of the price and same noise/power etc :-)

xms memory? isnt that performance memory? probably not required - go cheaper

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Spack

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#248796 19-Aug-2009 20:55

Wow thanks for the quick feedback. will check out your suggestions.

I chose the HVR4000 so I had flexibility in the recieving sources. I only have DVB-S reception here but will get DVB-T later. Will buy another card if I want two channels later.

Did see the mini and must admit I was conflicted but could still see myself wanting a full size keyboard aswell.

Looked at zalman and antec cases and wasn't inspired. Looking for something that looks very av component like - got any other recommendations?

davidcole

6037 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#248799 19-Aug-2009 21:01

Get an hVR3000 instead. Theres no benefit with the hvr4000. They both to the same thing. The HVr4000 has the benefit of DVB-S2 which isn't used - apart from skys HD feed.

What OS are you looking at, Windows 7?

I'd recommed a different motherboard as regs said, and get an Nvidia (8500gt and above or 9400gt and above) video card.

Also be careful of the "pretty HTPC" cases. They look good but can have air flow problems and parts problems (i.e tight fit for parts, or low profile components - including cooler). I run a stock standard $100 plain black case sitting next to my cabinet, with a Antec PSU.

Good luck.

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight

KrazyKid

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#248803 19-Aug-2009 21:21

My experience with Antec Fusion case is that the inbuild IR sensor only worked with MCE 2005 - Ended up using the Hauppauge remote that came with my NOVA-T card. Works well. Fusion case is well made (Silent and cooling wise) but the LCD panel never worked properly - gave up on it. If you want a front 'stereo' display go the Vacuum route.
Don't buy the fusion.

Does the HD3200 inbuilt graphics card work will decoding H264 acceleration? TV3 1080i on freewiew is intensive. You will be fine for satellite, but may need to buy a graphics card for DVB-T (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=20310). I brought a fanless GT8600 and it is sweet

You did not mention an OS. Windows 7 would be where I would head 1) you can play with the new W7MC, 2) the in-build h264 accelartaion, no need to install power DVD. If you can wait for the release.

If you want to save money get a basic wireless keyboard. I find sitting on the couch 2m away from my 42" TV the browsing the net etc is a hassle. I use the remote for everything in Media portal.Saying this if I had a free couple o hundred I would buy an edge/nova keyboard to play :)

Get a copy of bootit NG (free download for backing up those partitions - you will be doing a lot of installs :)

Have fun

Wilstar

71 posts

Master Geek

#248829 19-Aug-2009 22:06

Get a second cheaper smaller hdd to thrash, I like to have seperate drives for recording and storage, just so your not sending your 1tb drive to an early grave, it's a bit kinder when watching a movie ( off your storage drive) whilst recording. If you have a single hdd its trying to read and write from different areas of disk simultaneously

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248854 19-Aug-2009 23:32

I have the Antec 2480B case and I thoroughly recommend it. I have the Athlon 4850e too and put a Scythe mini ninja on it without the fan. The mini ninja fits it perfectly (it was designed for that case aparently) and can be cooled by the 2x 120mm fans on the side of the case, I've replaced the fan in the PSU with the quiet 80mm fan from the mini ninja and I also replaced the 120mm fans on the side with Scythes, they're unbelievably quiet.

I can't hear the system at all unless I put my ear a few cm from the case, and it's full height so you're not restricted for options when it comes to video cards and tuners. It doesn't look as nice as the Antec Fusion (it has a plastic front) but in a cabinet it's hard to tell the difference from other components.

rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248903 20-Aug-2009 08:23

I have an Antec Fusion case, and the IR sensor worked fine under Vista.
The only function that didn't work was the ability to "text" by repeatedly pressing the number keys.
While I don't use that function often, I had an external IR sensor that came with my remote, so I've used that instead.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#248922 20-Aug-2009 09:16

Don't write the SST-LC16M case off too quickly. Yes there is an issue with the lenth of video card verses the optical drive however I would consider that it's only negative and then it is a manageable one.

I have a 8500GT and there is plenty of room. I think there will always be issues with higher end video cards but then this is a media centre case. You don't want a high end card in it.

Agree with the above concerning the 4000, switch it to the 3000 and save some money.

Not sure if the ATI issue is such a issue any more. It sounds like ATI have finally resolved the very long running issue that we had over here but then I do not have a ATI card so cannot speak from personal experiance.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248927 20-Aug-2009 09:23

Nety:
Not sure if the ATI issue is such a issue any more. It sounds like ATI have finally resolved the very long running issue that we had over here but then I do not have a ATI card so cannot speak from personal experiance.

I have the onboard HD3200 and found that it wasn't quite up to the job, but I've since bought the HD 4550 (the fanless version) and found that it's excellent, blu-ray & freeviewHD playback is smooth and looks great. But I'm no ATI fanboy - if you're using something like the PowerDVD codec for hardware acceleration (a must with the 4850e CPU) I don't think you can go wrong with either an nVidia or ATI card, if you're using CoreAVC then nVidia is your only option. The Sapphire HD4550 fanless goes for about $120.

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248949 20-Aug-2009 10:34

Regs: motherboard: you have an ATI GPU based motherboard. most here would recommend a board with nVidia GPU for freeviewHD, or a seperate nVidia GPU card.

Not me - I've been very happy with my HTPC based on a Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H (AMD/ATI) motherboard. I've not had any problems with hardware decoding of Freeview|HD transmissions using the onboard ATI HD3200 graphics processor under Windows Vista, although I'm aware that several people have reported that they did have issues.

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Snowflake

#248950 20-Aug-2009 10:34

Spack:
Did see the mini and must admit I was conflicted but could still see myself wanting a full size keyboard aswell.

Looked at zalman and antec cases and wasn't inspired. Looking for something that looks very av component like - got any other recommendations?

you can always plug in a usb keyboard into front port if you really need one. The mini is a lot more convenient if you're going to keep it in the lounge.

as for cases - I have the Zalman HD160. Its an excellent match looks, width and height wise to my full size Onkyo amp. check out computerlounge - they have a good selection of cases on display:
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentlist.asp?parttypeid=38&t=5

The Silverstone case is fine, and while the DVD drive/Graphics card issue was a problem - the depth of the case is what ruled it out for me. It was too deep to fit in my rimu entertainment unit which was only 50cm deep...

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Snowflake

#248955 20-Aug-2009 10:40

Deev8:
Regs: motherboard: you have an ATI GPU based motherboard. most here would recommend a board with nVidia GPU for freeviewHD, or a seperate nVidia GPU card.

Not me - I've been very happy with my HTPC based on a Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H (AMD/ATI) motherboard. I've not had any problems with hardware decoding of Freeview|HD transmissions using the onboard ATI HD3200 graphics processor under Windows Vista, although I'm aware that several people have reported that they did have issues.

good to hear your feedback - if the ATI stuff is now 'resolved' then thats a win all round :)

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#249095 20-Aug-2009 16:19

Not looking to hijack this thread. Just a quick question: how easy is the DiNovo Mini to nagivate for windows & internet browsing, with male fingers/thumbs? And is the navigating clickpad more substance than marketing, in terms of its usefulness? OK. It was two

Also, just an option to consider is the LG GGCH20L Blu-ray reader which also writes to DVD. I have one & has been excellent since purchase. Does the Liteon allow DVD writing? I also notice it is slightly cheaper according to Pricespy.

Not sure how you intend to watch your media. If you are going to use a frontend like Mediaportal, DON'T upgrade the bundled PowerDVD as Cyberlink are now preventing the use of their codecs with any, except their own player. So, that rules out watching DVDs/MKVs/WMVs/etc. with a superior product like Mediaportal or GBPVR.

Silverstone LC14 HTPC Case/Intel E4600 CPU/GA-EP35-DS3 MOBO/Asus EN9500GT graphics/2GB RAM/total 2TB HDD space/HVR-2200 & 2X 150MCE tuner cards/LG GGC-H20L BD Drive/MCE2005/Mediaportal/TVServer 1.1.0Final/LG 55"3D LED-TV/Denon AVR-1803 receiver/X1 projector

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#249104 20-Aug-2009 16:55

1gkar:
Also, just an option to consider is the LG GGCH20L Blu-ray reader which also writes to DVD. I have one & has been excellent since purchase. Does the Liteon allow DVD writing? I also notice it is slightly cheaper according to Pricespy.

I have the LG too, an excellent drive! It's a bit of messing around to get Blu-ray playing working from within Mediaportal but it works great once it's setup.

Spack

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#249160 20-Aug-2009 19:19

Wow guys thanks for the input. You've saved me 100s already. Changed to the hvr3000 (I'd figured there'd be more stuff appearing on DVB-S2 over time but it ain't worth the extra $ to future proof) and an acbel PSU. Looking again at the diNovo Mini and checking out the scythe mini for cooling.

My OS choice is Linux with MythTV so I need to be careful with my hardware choices. ATI have open sourced their drivers so great inroads have been made there recently. Whilst Nvidia support is probably better atm I'm guessing ATI will be a better bet long term. Either way I'm considering beefing up the graphics a bit based on the comments here. Keen to stick with onboard if I can.

I'm sticking with the LC16M as I won't have a graphics card for the dvd to clash with.

The liteon drive is read only - I have a writer in my notebook so don't need another.